New Century Hall to become Tiki paradise with 50 rums, cocktails and calypso vibes for Manchester Rum Festival

Joining the incredible line up of summer events in the city, Manchester Rum Festival is bringing its special brand of celebration to New Century Hall on World Rum Day – 13th July – with its biggest ever line up of rums.

Around 50 incredible brands from every corner of the world will be showing off their best creations at the festival, and – with more rums than ever before available to taste (which are all included in the great value ticket price) – the 2024 event is shaping up to be a real celebration for rum experts and aficionados.

Making their Manchester debut include O Reizinho, an agricultural rum from Madeira, Casa Tarasco from Mexico, Renegade Cane Rum from Grenada, Ron Carúpano, a Venezuelan brand with the only female Master Blender in the country and Rhum Depaz from the volcanic terroir of Martinique and Don Q from Puerto Rico.  Bristol Classic, a rum firm that produces limited quantity rums from countries including Guyana and Mauritius, as well as Trinidad and the Dominican Republic, will also be making its first appearance at the festival.  If you fancy a change, the refreshing Caribbean lager, Carib, will be heading to Manchester for the very first time.

Other much-loved brands making an appearance at the festival include Chairman’s Reserve, Pusser’s, Worthy Park, Cockspur, Damoiseau, Don Papa, Ninefold and Aluna, plus Manchester-based One-Eyed Rebel from the Spirit of Manchester Distillery.

This year the official cocktail bar will be headed up by MONIN, and they will be showing off rum cocktail creations from Manchester’s best rum bars including Exhibition, Hold Fast, Northern Monk Refectory and New Century Kitchen.

Food will be provided by the incredible Nyammin’, which makes authentic Caribbean cuisine – including their world-famous Rum Cake.  The tunes will come courtesy of Manchester legend DJ Dom, who will be keeping the party going all day with a mix of Reggae and Soca from the decks.

London Essence will be the official mixer partner for 2024, bringing their distinctive drinks – including elegant tonics, crafted sodas and lemonades, and delicious gingers – to the festival.

As an addition to the celebration, founder and Manchester rum expert Dave Marsland and special guests will be running three ‘Rum Ramble’ seminars. The sessions include a “From Grass to Glass, the making of a Rum Brand” showcase with Equiano Rum and Ian Burrell, a talk and taster surrounding the world of rum cocktails – from classics to contemporary via tiki – with MONIN, and finally, a “Make your own Arranges” class – the first time this has been run at a European festival – hosted by Damoiseau of Guadeloupe and ambassador, Danilo Grenci.  Links will be sent to all festival ticket holders, giving them opportunity to purchase their places and bag a spot.

Dave Marsland said: “The festival brings together renowned distilleries from all over the world, and ticket holders are in for an even bigger treat this year as we relocate to New Century Hall – what an incredible, iconic central city venue it is!

“The event really has gone from strength to strength over the last eight years and we are now one of the biggest rum festivals in the country outside London.  We can’t wait to welcome the rum lovers to the event, which is set to host more rum brands than ever before, meaning the ticket price is even better value for money.”